Canadian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen suffers fire, but Fernando Alonso is fastest in the rain-affected second practice in Montreal
Due to the unpredictable weather in Montreal, Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin surprised everyone by setting the fastest time in second practice. You can watch the Canadian Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday at 9 p.m. and the race on Sunday at 7 p.m. live on Sky Sports F1.
Written in Montreal by Nigel Chiu
In a rain-affected second practice for the Canadian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso set the fastest time while Max Verstappen, leading the title, experienced a fire.
With 30 minutes remaining, the rain started to come down, thus Alonso managed to get the fastest time on the board during the dry running, finishing 0.463 seconds ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell.
Due to an electrical recovery system (ERS) malfunction, the reigning world champion Verstappen was only able to complete four laps before the car caught fire as he returned to the garage. Prior to Friday’s race in Montreal, a new engine was installed in both Red Bulls.
The high kerbs at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a location where Ferrari is stronger, could put Red Bull on the back foot once more, despite Verstappen’s 31-point advantage over Charles Leclerc in the drivers’ title.
At the Canadian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen’s FP2 session ended early due to his car burning.
However, neither practice session had any truly outstanding running due to the rain.
Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes driver perplexed by ongoing difficulties in qualifying while George Russell wins the pole in the Canadian Grand PrixSky Sports
Alonso’s best dry lap time from 2023 was two seconds slower at 1:15.810. Nevertheless, home driver Lance Stroll finished third, ahead of Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo in fifth, demonstrating how quick Aston Martin was in the drying circumstances.
Alonso remarked, “It was a difficult Friday for everyone—not enough laps and no appropriate laps in either wet or dry conditions.”
